Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has no current plans to ban plastic use in textiles. Microfibre shedding from textiles containing plastic is a complex problem which adds to microplastic pollution in our environment. Fibres are shed at every stage of the product’s lifespan, from manufacture, through use, laundering and end of life.

Considerable research is being undertaken by industry to better understand this problem. We are working with the academic community and others to better understand the effect of these fibres on the environment and consider feasible solutions for reducing their loss during the product’s lifespan.

We take an evidence-based approach on all forms of microplastic pollution, with a ban on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products already in place, and significant ongoing work with the plastics industry to reduce plastic pellet (nurdle) pollution, the second biggest contributor to global microplastic pollution.

The majority of synthetic grass is a mix of polymers that can be recycled but are difficult to separate, which makes them difficult to recycle.

While there are some options for recycling synthetic grass in Scotland, the Scottish Government is not currently involved with projects to recycle plastic grass directly. However, through our Route Map we set out to significantly increase reuse and recycling rates and modernise and improve recycling services.

We are aware that the wool prices have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with limited sheep farmers now reliant on their wool cheque.

We have committed to support active farming and food production with direct payments - which provides certainty to the industry - and we delivered 2021 Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) payments to schedule with over £564 million issued to date. In addition, this year, to support crofters and farmers with the cost of living, the Scottish Government has brought forward the advance payment start date to as early in the year as is practicably possible. The intention is to support businesses, as far as possible, with immediate cash flow challenges.

In addition the 2022 Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) opened for applications on 1 September. The scheme provides additional support to help maintain sheep flocks in farm businesses reliant on poorer quality rough grazing found in Scotland’s Basic Payment Region three. These payments help farmers and crofters maintain the social and environmental benefits that sheep flocks bring to these areas.

Scottish Government are engaging with NHS 24 and stakeholders to review the MSK pathway, using data and learning from quality improvement initiatives to inform future developments that will enhance the patient journey. No date has been set for the implementation of a new MSK pathway.

As of the end of the day on 12 September 2022, there had been a total of 21,723,100 journeys made under the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10488 on‎ 8 September 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

No it has not. The Scottish Government continues to explore all options to ensure that there is sufficient and safe accommodation for any displaced people from Ukraine arriving in Scotland. This includes contingency plans for emergency accommodation as well as increasing temporary accommodation, by for example getting the second ship, which has now docked in Glasgow, prepared to safely host displaced people from Ukraine.

The Scottish Government is clear that we do not want to see people spending more time in temporary accommodation than is absolutely necessary, including on our two passenger ships.

Our priority is to ensure that people who have already arrived, and will arrive from Ukraine, are able to stay in appropriate temporary accommodation and get the right support, then move into safe, sustainable longer term accommodation.

I wrote to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer on 31 July to request that he consider providing appropriate funding for public sector pay, given that our current funding was set in last October’s UK Spending Review which was based on 3% pay uplifts. This followed a letter from the Finance Secretary and the Finance Ministers of the other devolved governments outlining their concerns, including on the cost crisis and public sector pay. This letter was sent on 15 July, following prior engagement on this when they met with the Chief Secretary in Cardiff in June. The Scottish Government is still awaiting a formal response to these letters. I raised these matters with the new Chancellor upon his appointment on 6 September and hope to receive a response from him shortly.

Child trafficking and exploitation is abuse. When there is reason to believe that a child may have been trafficked or exploited an immediate child protection response is required and an inter-agency referral discussion (IRD) should be undertaken. In cases where a child or young person has been subject to any form of exploitation or trafficking their safety and protection is paramount. Child trafficking and exploitation victims must be cared for and supported within the context of Scotland’s child protection system and the national Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach.

In September 2021 Scottish Government published the revised National Guidance for Child Protection which includes detailed advice for all practitioners who support children and families on identifying and supporting victims of human trafficking and exploitation, including criminal and sexual exploitation.

The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 required the Lord Advocate to issue instructions regarding the prosecution of persons who are, or appear to be, the victims of trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour and who have allegedly committed a criminal offence. The instructions set a strong presumption against prosecution of child victims who have committed an offence in the course of, or as a consequence of, being trafficked or exploited.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with operational partners to better understand what child protection procedures are followed in cases of trafficking and exploitation, and ensure that child protection procedures are activated immediately.